Read Online The Art of Ethan by Cara North - Free Book Online

body and just lighten up. “Okay, well, we can go to the museum."
    "Sounds good,” Chase said as he approached. Megan was clicking slower by the minute behind him.
    Grace hoped she would sit down, so she could escape Ethan awhile. She wanted to ask Megan more about him. He wasn't at all what she was expecting. She liked him. Of course, he was gorgeous, but he was funny and flirty, and he paid her an unusual amount of attention. She didn't know what to do with him really. Well she did, but he was Chase's brother, so she wouldn't.
    Once Megan and Chase were actively in the mix, it was easy to talk, mainly because they talked while Grace listened. Ethan did his best to include her. It was really becoming uncomfortable to have his full attention. She wasn't used to it. He pulled out her chair at lunch and dinner. He also let her order first. Mitchell never did any of those things.
    He insisted she try what he had for dinner and made no hesitation to try her meal. He acted like he had known her forever, but he had only known her a day.
    Of course, Grace and Megan didn't order desserts. Ethan and Chase did. Ethan insisted Grace try his. She reached for a spoon, but he gave her a bite off his own. Having him feed her, though it was innocent enough, seemed provocative. Maybe it was the look in his eye. Whatever it was, Grace was still burning from it.
    Ethan always seemed so comfortable. She started to feel more relaxed around him in some ways like talking, but more wound up in others. Like the butterflies when he was sweet, and the lightning style fire when he touched her. Ever since he put the sun-block on, he touched her a lot. Not inappropriate touching but Grace felt the simple brushes like strokes of fire across her skin.
    * * * *
    It was about nine thirty that night when they headed back to her house on Ann Street. She never would have believed she could spend a whole day in this town exploring, yet they had. Apparently Ethan and Chase had lived a fairly luxurious life full of travel. Though they decided against diving, they were set on surfing. Of course, Grace was afraid of the ocean, so she would delay the beach as best as she could.
    The guys were both excited about the chance to surf and wondered if the waves would hold up to Hawaii. Grace had no idea what they were talking about, so she walked next to Ethan quietly. Her father died at sea, so her mother never took her to the beach. She had been a few times with Megan but never dared enter the water.
    Out of nowhere, she felt his fingers clasp on to hers. It was impossible to pull away from them. They were behind Megan and Chase. Somehow that made it more thrilling. She dared a look upward to see him, and he was already looking at her. He gripped a little tighter and shook her hand slightly. Maybe her mood was too obvious. He was trying to comfort her or cheer her up.
    What he was actually doing was giving her a heart attack. She relished the feel of her hand in his. The strength of his long fingers gripping hers made her feel somewhat protected. Her hand actually felt small in his. Not that she was constantly comparing, but her hand was the same size as Mitchell's, actually bigger. He let go as they started up the stairs to the porch.
    Grace unlocked the door and let them all in.
    Full from dinner at the Net House, everyone piled into the living room and stretched out. Chase sat in the lazy boy and reclined it. Megan sat on Chase pushing his blonde locks around with her fingers. Grace watched them as she settled in at one end of the couch. Ethan took his seat at the other. Intimacy, she never really shared that. Mitchell would barely hold her hand in public, yet Ethan had held it all the way home.
    Ethan watched Grace as she studied his little brother and Megan. Something in her eyes looked sad and lonely. He felt the urge to just reach out and hold her but fought it. Hell, he didn't even know her other than what Megan told him and what little he found out today.